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DISTRICT COURT NEWS

Jason Lichtenberger, 19 of Broken Bow, was sentenced to three years probation in Custer County District Court Thursday. Lichtenberger was charged with attempted sexual assault of a minor, a Class III felony. In handing down her sentence Judge Karin Noakes noted that reports indicate the defendant is at “low risk to re-offend and is a good candidate for probation.” Brandon M. Craddock, 21 of Broken Bow, was arraigned Thursday on a charge of distribution of a controlled substance-marijuana, a Class III felony. Craddock plead not guilty to the charge, which carries a possible penalty of 1-20 years imprisonment and/or $25,000 fine. Jury trial was set for June 11, with a pretrial conference May 17. Alex M. Croghan, 23 of Broken Bow, appeared on a motion to revoke probation. Croghan had been placed on three years probation in March 2009. Judge Noakes appointed the public defender to represent Croghan and the case was set for plea hearing March 22. A personal recognizance bond was set at $1,000.Feb. 23: A number of arraignments were on the docket for Custer County District Court Feb. 23. Robert L. Brott, 27, is charged with theft by taking - a Class III felony. Brott is accused of taking property of Steve Jones valued in excess of $1,500. The charge carries a possible penalty of 1-20 years imprisonment and/or $25,000 fine. Brott plead not guilty to the charge. The case was set for jury trial June 11, with pretrial conference set for May 17. His bond was continued. Michael Hickman, 59, also was arraigned on one charge of theft by taking, in incidents dating from May-October 2010. Hickman allegedly took property from James Markham valued at more than $500, but less than $1,500. He is also charged with failure to appear for a hearing Aug. 8, 2011. Both charges are Class IV felonies, and carry no minimum penalty and a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine. Hickman plead not guilty to both charges, and the case was set for jury trial June 11 with pretrial conference May 17. Jimmy D. Mortensen, 48 of Callaway, was arraigned on a charge of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana-with intent to distribute. The charge is a Class III felony, and carries a possible penalty of 1-20 years imprisonment and/or $25,000 fine. Mortensen plead not guilty to the charge. The case was set for jury trial June 11, with pretrial conference set for May 17. Bond was continued. Randy Martinez appeared with his attorney on request for a bond reduction. Glenn Clark objected to the reduction on behalf of the state, saying the defendant is lucky the victim in this case wasn’t killed. The motion for reduction was denied, and bond for Martinez remains at 10 percent of $500,000.Feb. 9: Lewis J. Dominguez, 20 of Broken Bow, appeared in Custer County District Court Feb. 9 for a plea hearing. Appearing before Judge Karin Noakes, Dominguez entered a plea of no contest to an amended charge of 3rd degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor. The case began back in September 2011, when Dominguez was arraigned in District Court on charges related to a June 2011 incident, in which he and Geoffrey Eng assaulted another Broken Bow man. The Class I misdemeanor carries no minimum penalty, and a maximum penalty of 1 year imprisonment, and/or $5,000 fine. Sentencing for Dominguez was set for March 22. His bond was continued. Crystal A. Twyman, 23, was sentenced on an amended charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was arraigned in May 2011 on charges stemming from January 2010. Twyman was sentenced to 30 days in the Custer County Jail, and 18 months probation. Sheila Osterhoudt, of Broken Bow, was arraigned on one count of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a Class IV felony. Her case was deferred to the North Central Nebraska Drug Court Program. Also arraigned in District Court Feb. 9, was Randy D. Martinez, 21, of Broken Bow. He is charged with 1st degree assault, a Class II felony, and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, also a Class II felony. Both charges stem from a Jan. 2, 2012, incident in which Martinez allegedly stabbed Geoffrey Eng during an altercation. Martinez entered a plea of not guilty to both charges. The charges each carry a possible penalty of 1-50 years imprisonment, and if convicted the sentences must be served consecutively. The case was set for jury trial June 11, with pretrial conference set for May 17. Mike Borders, attorney for the defendant, requested a bond reduction, which Judge Noakes denied. Bond will remain at 10 percent of $500,000. Steven H. Trew, 57, was arraigned Feb. 9 on two counts of making terroristic threats, Class IV felonies. The charges stem from an incident Oct. 9, 2011, in which Trew allegedly made threats to his son and a co-worker of his wife. The case was set for jury trial June 11, with pretrial conference May 17. His bond was continued. Shane Craig, 36, was arraigned on an amended charge of criminal attempt-failure to register as a sex offender. The Class I misdemeanor carries no minimum penalty, and a maximum of 1 year imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine. He plead no contest to the charge. The case was set for sentencing March 22.